Newcastle’s January plans are beginning to take shape, and Matthias Jaissle has made no secret of wanting to adjust his squad.
Newcastle step up their search for January reinforcements
The Magpies have scored 13 league goals in 10 games, which explains why so much of the early talk has been about finding someone who can help at the sharp end.
The I Paper reports that Newcastle have held talks about bringing in a forward, with Dinamo Zagreb’s Dion Drena Beljo among the players they’ve watched.
They didn’t have to go all the way to Croatia to see him, with TEAMtalk saying Newcastle had scouts at the Stadium of Light when Beljo scored in Zagreb’s Europa League win over Sunderland.
There’s more reason to look elsewhere with Nick Woltemade out on loan at Juventus.
NewcastleWorld reports there’s no January recall clause in his deal, so Jaissle can’t simply bring him back if he wants another striker this winter.
There’s a possible tussle with Sunderland over Sydie Peck, too, with reports suggesting both clubs are watching the Sheffield United midfielder, who recently scored three at Preston.
He’d give Newcastle another option in midfield, although the Blades’ chief executive has told The Star there’s no financial pressure to sell in January.
Tuttosport reports that Newcastle have made initial contact over a deal for ex-Barcelona defender Juan Miranda, and are currently ahead of other suitors in the race for his signature.
They’re looking into what it would take to sign the Bologna left-back, whose talks over a new contract have yet to produce an agreement.
Miranda’s existing deal runs until June 2028 after Bologna took up an option earlier this year. They’ve also taken 17 points from seven games under Raffaele Palladino, so they have a good reason to hold their ground while there’s still time on the contract.
Juventus were turned away when they looked at a deal in August and could come back in January.
|
Juan Miranda for Bologna this season |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Total |
|
Appearances |
10 |
|
Starts |
8 |
|
Minutes |
707 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Assists |
5 |
|
Chances created |
16 |
|
Big chances created |
7 |
|
Accurate crosses |
14 |
|
Pass completion |
79.9% |
|
Tackles |
17 |
|
Interceptions |
10 |
|
Yellow cards |
1 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
AC Milan are also interested, having passed up the chance to sign Miranda on a free in 2024, when the Spaniard left Real Betis for Bologna instead.
Miranda’s immediate concern is getting fi, as the 26-year-old went off against Parma on Saturday with a hamstring injury and Bologna put his recovery time at around three weeks.
If he’s back on that timetable, Newcastle will have time to see him in action again before the window opens.
Where Miranda fits and why the price matters
Miranda could give Newcastle another way in when Harvey Barnes drifts towards the box.
Jaissle has pushed his full backs higher when Nico González drops to help the centre halves bring the ball out, and Miranda could take the space Barnes leaves and whip in a cross before the defence has time to set.
He’s been doing that from further up the pitch for Bologna.
Miranda has five assists in 10 Serie A games this season, and he can do damage from a dead ball too, with Tommaso Pobega scoring from one of his corners against Monza.
The test would come when Newcastle lose possession.
Miranda has had three centre halves behind him at Bologna lately, while Jaissle’s side generally defend in a 4-4-2.
Lewis Hall already starts on that side, so Miranda would add competition and another source of chances at the right price. If Newcastle only have room for one big deal in January, though, a striker still looks the better use of the money.
